E491

Sorbitan monostearate

E Number E491
Name Sorbitan monostearate
Class Emulsifiers, Stabilisers, Thickeners and Gelling Agents
Groups Sorbitan esters
Additional details Emulsifier, stabilizer
Origin Synthetic
Common applications Biscuits, pastry, candies, cookies, fruits
Observations At high doses, may cause diarrhea, visceral lesions and bladder stones
Evaluation To avoid

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Conditions of use in food categories

Category Number Category Name Maximum Level (mg/l or mg/kg as appropriate) Details Restrictions/exceptions
01.4 Flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products5 000 
01.8 Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners5 000The additives may be added individually or in combinationonly milk and cream analogues; beverage whiteners
02.2.2 Other fat and oil emulsions including spreads as defined by Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 and liquid emulsions10 000The additives may be added individually or in combination 
03 Edible ices500The additives may be added individually or in combination 
05.2 Other confectionery including breath refreshening microsweets5 000The additives may be added individually or in combinationonly sugar confectionery
05.3 Chewing gum5 000The additives may be added individually or in combination 
05.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit based fillings covered by category 4.2.45 000The additives may be added individually or in combination 
07.2 Fine bakery wares10 000The additives may be added individually or in combination 
12.6 Sauces5 000The additives may be added individually or in combinationonly emulsified sauces
12.8 Yeast and yeast productsquantum satisonly dry yeast and yeast for baking
13.2 Dietary foods for special medical purposes defined in Directive 1999/21/EC (excluding products from food category 13.1.5)5 000The additives may be added individually or in combination 
13.3 Dietary foods for weight control diets intended to replace total daily food intake or an individual meal (the whole or part of the total daily diet)5 000The additives may be added individually or in combination 
14.1.5.2 Other500The additives may be added individually or in combinationonly liquid tea concentrates and liquid fruit and herbal infusion concentrates
16 Desserts excluding products covered in categories 1, 3 and 45 000The additives may be added individually or in combination 
17.1 Food supplements supplied in a solid form including capsules and tablets and similar forms, excluding chewable formsquantum satisThe additives may be added individually or in combination 
17.2 Food supplements supplied in a liquid formquantum satis 
17.3 Food supplements supplied in a syrup-type or chewable formquantum satis